Side-specific orthopaedic surgical instrument systems and associated methods of use

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument system includes a pair of side-specific orthopaedic surgical instrument assemblies. The right-limb side-specific instrument assembly is kitted so as to be devoid of left-limb side-specific instruments and vice versa.

This is a continuation application that claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/709,100, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,940,022, which wasfiled on Sep. 19, 2017 and is expressly incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to orthopaedic instruments foruse in the performance of an orthopaedic joint replacement procedure,and more particularly to orthopaedic surgical instruments for use in theperformance of a revision knee replacement procedure.

BACKGROUND

Joint arthroplasty is a well-known surgical procedure by which adiseased and/or damaged natural joint is replaced by a prosthetic joint.For example, in a total knee arthroplasty surgical procedure, apatient's natural knee joint is partially or totally replaced by aprosthetic knee joint or knee prosthesis. A typical knee prosthesisincludes a tibial tray, a femoral component, and a polymer insert orbearing positioned between the tibial tray and the femoral component.The tibial tray generally includes a plate having a stem extendingdistally therefrom, and the femoral component generally includes a pairof spaced apart condylar elements, which include surfaces thatarticulate with corresponding surfaces of the polymer bearing. The stemof the tibial tray is configured to be implanted in asurgically-prepared medullary canal of the patient's tibia, and thefemoral component is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepareddistal end of a patient's femur.

From time-to-time, a revision knee surgery may need to be performed on apatient. In such a revision knee surgery, the previously-implanted kneeprosthesis is surgically removed and a replacement knee prosthesis isimplanted. In some revision knee surgeries, all of the components of thepreviously-implanted knee prosthesis, including, for example, the tibialtray, the femoral component, and the polymer bearing, may be surgicallyremoved. In other revision knee surgeries, only part of thepreviously-implanted knee prosthesis may be removed and replaced.

During either a primary or revision knee surgery, the orthopaedicsurgeon typically uses a variety of different orthopaedic surgicalinstruments such as, for example, cutting blocks, reamers, drill guides,prosthetic trials, and other surgical instruments to prepare thepatient's bones to receive the knee prosthesis. Such surgicalinstruments may be constructed of either metal or polymer materials andare generally designed to be reusable. After use, reusable surgicalinstruments are kitted into trays, sterilized, and returned to theoperating room for use in a subsequent procedure. The kits are assembledby size irrespective of whether the upcoming procedure is a right-limbor left-limb procedure. This is done so that similar instruments arekitted together. For example, a typical size-based kit for a revisionknee procedure includes both the left-limb side-specific and right-limbside-specific femoral trial components in sizes 3, 4, and 5 with adifferent kit including both side-specific femoral trial components(i.e., both left and right) in sizes 6, 7, and 8. However, revision kneesurgery is rarely bilateral. As a result, half the trialcomponents—i.e., the components specific to the limb not being operatedon—go unused and, as a result, unnecessarily consume resources such astable space, cleaning, and subsequent sterilization.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a surgical instrument systemincludes a plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments. Theorthopaedic surgical instruments include a plurality of right-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components. Each of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components has a size that isdifferent from the size of at least some of the other of the pluralityof right-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components. Theorthopaedic surgical instruments also include a plurality of left-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components, with each of the pluralityof left-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components having a sizethat is different from the size of at least some of the other of theplurality of left-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components. Thesurgical instrument system also includes a first instrumentsterilization tray that has a plurality of instrument retainersconfigured to retain the orthopaedic surgical instruments duringsterilization and transport thereof. The first instrument sterilizationtray is devoid of any of the plurality of left-limb side-specificorthopaedic trial components when each of the plurality of instrumentretainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instrumentsretained thereto. The orthopaedic surgical system also includes a secondinstrument sterilization tray having a plurality of instrument retainersconfigured to retain the orthopaedic surgical instruments duringsterilization and transport thereof. The second instrument sterilizationtray is devoid of any of the plurality of right-limb side-specificorthopaedic trial components when each of the plurality of instrumentretainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instrumentsretained thereto.

The plurality of right-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial componentsmay include a plurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trialcomponents, and the plurality of left-limb side-specific orthopaedictrial components may include a plurality of left-limb side-specificfemoral trial components. In an embodiment, the first instrumentsterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality of left-limbside-specific femoral trial components when each of the plurality ofinstrument retainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgicalinstruments retained thereto, with the second instrument sterilizationtray being devoid of any of the plurality of right-limb side-specificfemoral trial components when each of the plurality of instrumentretainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instrumentsretained thereto.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of right-limb side-specificfemoral trial components has a size that is different from the size ofeach of the other of the plurality of right-limb side-specific femoraltrial components. Similarly, each of the plurality of left-limbside-specific femoral trial components may have a size that is differentfrom the size of each of the other of the plurality of left-limbside-specific femoral trial components.

The plurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trial components maybe embodied as a plurality of right-limb side-specific femoralcut-through trial components, and the plurality of left-limbside-specific femoral trial components may be embodied as a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific femoral cut-through trial components.

In an embodiment, the plurality of right-limb side-specific orthopaedictrial components includes a plurality of right-limb side-specificintramedullary connector components, and the plurality of left-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components includes a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components. In such anembodiment, the first instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any ofthe plurality of left-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents when each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one ofthe plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, andthe second instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of theplurality of right-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents when each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one ofthe plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.

Illustratively, each of the plurality of right-limb side-specificintramedullary connector components may have a size that is differentfrom the size of each of the other of the plurality of right-limbside-specific intramedullary connector components, and each of theplurality of left-limb side-specific intramedullary connector componentsmay have a size that is different from the size of each of the other ofthe plurality of left-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents.

In one embodiment, the plurality of right-limb side-specific orthopaedictrial components includes a plurality of right-limb side-specific boxtrial components, and the plurality of left-limb side-specificorthopaedic trial components includes a plurality of left-limbside-specific box trial components. In such an embodiment, the firstinstrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific box trial components when each of the pluralityof instrument retainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgicalinstruments retained thereto, and the second instrument sterilizationtray is devoid of any of the plurality of right-limb side-specific boxtrial components when each of the plurality of instrument retainers hasone of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retainedthereto.

Illustratively, each of the plurality of right-limb side-specific boxtrial components may have a size that is different from the size of eachof the other of the plurality of right-limb side-specific box trialcomponents, and each of the plurality of left-limb side-specific boxtrial components may have a size that is different from the size of eachof the other of the plurality of left-limb side-specific box trialcomponents.

In another embodiment, the plurality of right-limb side-specificorthopaedic trial components includes a plurality of right-limbside-specific femoral reamer guide components, and the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components includes aplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components. Insuch an embodiment, the first instrument sterilization tray is devoid ofany of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamer guidecomponents when each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one ofthe plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, andthe second instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of theplurality of right-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide componentswhen each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one of theplurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.

Illustratively, each of the plurality of right-limb side-specificfemoral reamer guide components has a size that is different from thesize of each of the other of the plurality of right-limb side-specificfemoral reamer guide components, and each of the plurality of left-limbside-specific femoral reamer guide components has a size that isdifferent from the size of each of the other of the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components.

According to another aspect, a surgical instrument system has aplurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments including a plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral trial components in which each of theplurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trial components has asize that is different from the size of each of the other of theplurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trial components, and aplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trial components in whicheach of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trialcomponents has a size that is different from the size of each of theother of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trialcomponents. The system also includes a first instrument sterilizationtray having a plurality of instrument retainers configured to retain theorthopaedic surgical instruments during sterilization and transportthereof. The first instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of theplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trial components when eachof the plurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto. The system alsoincludes a second instrument sterilization tray having a plurality ofinstrument retainers configured to retain the orthopaedic surgicalinstruments during sterilization and transport thereof. The secondinstrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral trial components when each of theplurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.

The plurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trial components maybe embodied as a plurality of right-limb side-specific femoralcut-through trial components, and the plurality of left-limbside-specific femoral trial components may be embodied as a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific femoral cut-through trial components.

The plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments may further include aplurality of right-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents, and a plurality of left-limb side-specific intramedullaryconnector components. In such an embodiment, the first instrumentsterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality of left-limbside-specific intramedullary connector components when each of theplurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, and the secondinstrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components when eachof the plurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.

Illustratively, each of the plurality of right-limb side-specificintramedullary connector components may have a size that is differentfrom the size of each of the other of the plurality of right-limbside-specific intramedullary connector components, and each of theplurality of left-limb side-specific intramedullary connector componentsmay have a size that is different from the size of each of the other ofthe plurality of left-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents.

In an embodiment, the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instrumentsfurther includes a plurality of right-limb side-specific box trialcomponents, and a plurality of left-limb side-specific box trialcomponents. In such an embodiment, the first instrument sterilizationtray is devoid of any of the plurality of left-limb side-specific boxtrial components when each of the plurality of instrument retainers hasone of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retainedthereto, and the second instrument sterilization tray is devoid of anyof the plurality of right-limb side-specific box trial components wheneach of the plurality of instrument retainers has one of the pluralityof orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.

Illustratively, each of the plurality of right-limb side-specific boxtrial components has a size that is different from the size of each ofthe other of the plurality of right-limb side-specific box trialcomponents, and each of the plurality of left-limb side-specific boxtrial components has a size that is different from the size of each ofthe other of the plurality of left-limb side-specific box trialcomponents.

The plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments may further include aplurality of right-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components,and a plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamer guidecomponents. In such an embodiment, the first instrument sterilizationtray is devoid of any of the plurality of left-limb side-specificfemoral reamer guide components when each of the plurality of instrumentretainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instrumentsretained thereto, and the second instrument sterilization tray is devoidof any of the plurality of right-limb side-specific femoral reamer guidecomponents when each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one ofthe plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.

Illustratively, each of the plurality of right-limb side-specificfemoral reamer guide components has a size that is different from thesize of each of the other of the plurality of right-limb side-specificfemoral reamer guide components, and each of the plurality of left-limbside-specific femoral reamer guide components has a size that isdifferent from the size of each of the other of the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components.

According to a further aspect, a method of using a surgical instrumentsystem includes positioning a plurality of right-limb side-specificorthopaedic trial components in a first instrument sterilization trayand a plurality of left-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial componentsin a second instrument sterilization tray such that the first instrumentsterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality of left-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components, and the second instrumentsterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality of right-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components. The first instrument trayand the second instrument tray are then sterilized and at least one ofthe first instrument tray and the second instrument tray is utilizedduring performance of an orthopaedic surgical procedure.

In an embodiment, the first instrument tray is utilized duringperformance of an orthopaedic surgical procedure on a right limb of apatient.

The second instrument tray may be utilized during performance of anorthopaedic surgical procedure on a left limb of a patient.

A plurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trial components may bepositioned in the first tray, and a plurality of left-limb side-specificfemoral trial components may be positioned in the second tray.

In an embodiment, a plurality of right-limb side-specific intramedullaryconnector components is positioned in the first tray, and a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components ispositioned in the second tray.

Illustratively, a plurality of right-limb side-specific box trialcomponents is positioned in the first tray, and a plurality of left-limbside-specific box trial components is positioned in the second tray.

In an embodiment, a plurality of right-limb side-specific femoral reamerguide components is positioned in the first tray, and a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components is positioned inthe second tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the following figures,in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a right-limbside-specific orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly; and

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 , but showing a left-limbside-specific orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodimentsthereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and willherein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, thatthere is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure tothe particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Terms representing anatomical references, such as anterior, posterior,medial, lateral, superior, inferior, etcetera, may be used throughoutthe specification in reference to the orthopaedic implants andorthopaedic surgical instruments described herein as well as inreference to the patient's natural anatomy. Such terms havewell-understood meanings in both the study of anatomy and the field oforthopaedics. Use of such anatomical reference terms in the writtendescription and claims is intended to be consistent with theirwell-understood meanings unless noted otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a pair of orthopaedic surgicalinstrument assemblies 10, 12 is shown. Each of the surgical instrumentassemblies 10, 12 includes a sterilization tray 14 with a number oforthopaedic surgical instruments 18 positioned therein. What is meantherein by the term “orthopaedic surgical instrument” or “orthopaedicsurgical instrument assembly” is a surgical tool for use by a surgeon inperforming an orthopaedic surgical procedure. As such, it should beappreciated that, as used herein, the terms “orthopaedic surgicalinstrument” and “orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly” are distinctfrom orthopaedic implants or prostheses that are surgically implanted inthe body of the patient.

In the exemplary embodiment described herein, each of the orthopaedicsurgical instruments 18 of the instrument assemblies 10, 12 is aside-specific orthopaedic surgical instrument or a side-specificorthopaedic trial component. What is meant herein by the term“side-specific orthopaedic surgical instrument” or “side-specificorthopaedic trial component” is an orthopaedic surgical instrument ororthopaedic trial component that is designed specifically for use on onelimb of a patient (i.e., a right or left), but not the other limb. Forexample, a right-limb side-specific femoral trial component is designedspecifically for use on a patient's right femur, but not the patient'sleft femur. The opposite is the case for a left-limb side-specificfemoral trial component—i.e., it is designed specifically for use on apatient's left femur, but not the patient's right femur. It should beappreciated that many orthopaedic surgical instruments, such as sawblades, drivers, stem trial components, tibial trial components, are notside-specific. Such non-side-specific instruments are designed to beused on both limbs of the patient (e.g., both the left and right femur).As such, what is meant herein by the term “non-side-specific instrument”is an orthopaedic surgical instrument that is designed to be used onboth limbs of the patient.

The instrument sterilization trays 14 have a number of instrumentretainers 20. The instrument retainers 20 are configured to retain thevarious differently-shaped orthopaedic surgical instruments 18 duringsterilization, transport, and storage of the surgical instrumentassemblies 10, 12. The instrument retainers 20 may be configured asbrackets, connectors, cradles, or any other type of mechanism to retainthe orthopaedic surgical instruments 18 in a desired location andorientation. It should be appreciated that the instrument retainers 20could also take the form of specifically-shaped recesses or cavitiesformed in the instrument sterilization tray 14 into which theorthopaedic surgical instruments 18 could be inserted and retained. Ascan be seen in both FIGS. 1 and 2 , some of the walls of the instrumentsterilization tray 14 and some of the instrument retainers 20 have fluidholes 22 formed therein. The fluid holes 22 allow for the passage ofsterilization fluid within the instrument sterilization tray 14 duringthe sterilization process.

The surgical instrument assemblies 10, 12 are side-specifically kitted.In particular, the surgical instrument assembly 10 includes varioussizes of right-limb side-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments, butno left-limb side-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments. Oppositely,the surgical instrument assembly 12 includes various sizes of left-limbside-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments, but no right-limbside-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments.

Turning first to the surgical instrument assembly 10, it includes aplurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trial components 30. Inthe illustrative embodiment described herein, the femoral trialcomponents 30 are embodied as cut-through femoral trial components;however, it should be appreciated that other types of femoral trialcomponents are also contemplated for use. The right-limb side-specificfemoral trial components 30 of the surgical instrument assembly 10 maybe provided in a number of varying sizes to mimic the various sizes ofthe corresponding structures of the femoral implant (not shown) to beinstalled on the patient's distal femur. In one illustrative embodiment,the right-limb side-specific femoral trial components 30 of the surgicalinstrument assembly 10 may be provided in five different sizes—size 3,size 4, size 5, size 6, size 7, and size 8.

The surgical instrument assembly 10, also includes a plurality ofright-limb side-specific intramedullary (IM) connector components 32.Like the femoral trial components 30, the right-limb side-specific IMconnector components 32 of the surgical instrument assembly 10 may beprovided in a number of varying sizes to mimic the various sizes of thecorresponding structures of the femoral implant (not shown) to beinstalled on the patient's distal femur. In one illustrative embodiment,the right-limb side-specific IM connector components 32 of the surgicalinstrument assembly 10 may be provided in five different sizes—size 3,size 4, size 5, size 6, size 7, and size 8.

The surgical instrument assembly 10, further includes a plurality ofright-limb side-specific box trial components 34. Like the othercomponents 30, 32, the right-limb side-specific box trial components 34of the surgical instrument assembly 10 may be provided in a number ofvarying sizes to mimic the various sizes of the corresponding structuresof the femoral implant (not shown) to be installed on the patient'sdistal femur. In one illustrative embodiment, the right-limbside-specific box trial components 34 of the surgical instrumentassembly 10 may be provided in five different sizes—size 3, size 4, size5, size 6, size 7, and size 8.

In addition, the surgical instrument assembly 10 includes a plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components 36. Theright-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components 36 of thesurgical instrument assembly 10 may be provided in a number of varyingsizes to facilitate reaming of the patient's femur during installationof the femoral implant (not shown). In one illustrative embodiment, theright-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components 36 of thesurgical instrument assembly 10 may be provided in three differentsizes—size 3, size 4-7, and size 8-10.

The surgical instrument assembly 12 is similar to as described above inregard to the surgical instrument assembly 10 except that itsorthopaedic surgical instruments are left-limb side-specificinstruments. Namely, the surgical instrument assembly 12 includes aplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trial components 40. Likethe femoral trial components 30, the femoral trial components 40 areembodied as cut-through femoral trial components; however, it should beappreciated that other types of femoral trial components are alsocontemplate for use. Similarly to as described above, the left-limbside-specific femoral trial components 40 of the surgical instrumentassembly 10 may be provided in a number of varying sizes such as, forexample, size 3, size 4, size 5, size 6, size 7, and size 8.

The surgical instrument assembly 12, also includes a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific intramedullary (IM) connector components 42.Like the IM connector components 32, the left-limb side-specific IMconnector components 42 of the surgical instrument assembly 12 may beprovided in a number of varying sizes such as, for example, size 3, size4, size 5, size 6, size 7, and size 8. Similarly, the surgicalinstrument assembly 12, also includes a plurality of left-limbside-specific box trial components 44. The left-limb side-specific boxtrial components 44 of the surgical instrument assembly 12 may beprovided in a number of varying sizes such as, for example, size 3, size4, size 5, size 6, size 7, and size 8. And finally, in the illustrativeembodiment described herein, the surgical instrument assembly 12includes a plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamer guidecomponents 46. Like their right-limb counterparts, the left-limbside-specific femoral reamer guide components 36 may be illustrativelyprovided in three different sizes—size 3, size 4-7, and size 8-10.

As described above, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assemblies 10,12 are configured as side-specific systems, as opposed to size-specificsystems. In particular, when fully kitted and prepared for use in asurgical procedure, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly 10 isconfigured for use on a right-limb of a patient and is, therefore,devoid of any left-limb side-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments.In other words, when the instrument sterilization tray 14 of thesurgical instrument assembly 10 is fully loaded—i.e., each of theinstrument retainers 20 has an instrument retained therein, none of theretainers 20 includes left-limb side-specific surgical instruments. Inthe illustrative embodiment described herein, a right-limb side-specificorthopaedic surgical instrument is positioned in each of the instrumentretainers 20 of the instrument sterilization tray 14 of the surgicalinstrument assembly 10 when the tray is fully loaded; however, it shouldbe appreciated that in some embodiments, non-side-specific orthopaedicsurgical instruments may be placed in the instrument sterilization tray14 of the surgical instrument assembly 10 along with the right-limbside-specific surgical instruments.

Oppositely, when fully kitted and prepared for use in a surgicalprocedure, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly 12 is configuredfor use on a left-limb of a patient and is, therefore, devoid of anyright-limb side-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments. Specifically,when the instrument sterilization tray 14 of the surgical instrumentassembly 12 is fully loaded—i.e., each of the instrument retainers 20has an instrument retained therein, none of the retainers 20 includesright-limb side-specific surgical instruments. In the illustrativeembodiment described herein, a left-limb side-specific orthopaedicsurgical instrument is positioned in each of the instrument retainers 20of the instrument sterilization tray 14 of the surgical instrumentassembly 12 when the tray is fully loaded; however, it should beappreciated that in some embodiments, non-side-specific orthopaedicsurgical instruments may be placed in the instrument sterilization tray14 of the surgical instrument assembly 10 along with the left-limbside-specific surgical instruments.

In use, the orthopaedic surgical instrument assembly 10 is used duringorthopaedic surgical procedures on a right-limb of a patient, with theorthopaedic surgical instrument assembly 12 being used duringorthopaedic surgical procedures on a left-limb of a patient. Theinstrument sterilization trays 14 of the respective instrument systems10, 12 are first populated with the corresponding side-specificorthopaedic surgical instruments. Namely, right-limb side-specificorthopaedic surgical instruments are positioned in the instrumentsterilization tray 14 of the surgical instrument assembly 10 andleft-limb side-specific orthopaedic surgical instruments are positionedin the instrument sterilization tray 14 of the surgical instrumentassembly 12. In the case of the illustrative embodiment describedherein, the right-limb side-specific femoral trial components 30, theright-limb side-specific IM connector components 32, the right-limbside-specific box trial components 34, and the right-limb side-specificfemoral reamer guide components 36 are positioned in the retainers 20 ofthe instrument sterilization tray 14 of the surgical instrument assembly10, with the left-limb side-specific femoral trial components 40, theleft-limb side-specific IM connector components 42, the left-limbside-specific box trial components 44, and the left-limb side-specificfemoral reamer guide components 46 being positioned in the retainers 20of the instrument sterilization tray 14 of the surgical instrumentassembly 12. In such a way, the instrument sterilization tray 14 of thesurgical instrument assembly 10 is devoid of left-limb side-specificsurgical instruments and the instrument sterilization tray 14 of thesurgical instrument assembly 12 is devoid of right-limb side-specificinstruments. However, in some embodiments, non-side-specific instrumentsmay be placed in the sterilization tray 14 of either instrument assembly10, 12.

Once the sterilization trays 14 have been filled in such a manner, theinstrument assemblies 10, 12 are sterilized. Depending on whether theorthopaedic procedure being performed is a right-limb procedure or aleft-limb procedure (e.g., a right knee procedure or a left kneeprocedure), the corresponding sterilized instrument assembly 10, 12 isthen delivered to the operating room and utilized by the surgical staffduring performance of the procedure.

Kitting the instrument assemblies 10, 12 in the manner described hereinreduces the amount of unused instruments in the operating room sinceinstruments for the opposite limb (i.e., the limb not being operated on)are not present. The weight of the fully-loaded trays 14 can also bereduced by not including such unneeded instruments. Moreover, by notincluding the unneeded instruments, post-operative cleaning andsterilization is also improved since the number of unused instrumentsmay be reduced.

The systems and methods described herein may find particular advantagesin the performance of procedures such as revision knee procedures.However, many of those advantages may also be recognized in instrumentsused in the performance of other orthopaedic knee procedures, along withprocedures for other joint replacements (e.g., hip-, shoulder-, orankle-replacement procedures).

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and descriptionis to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, itbeing understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arisingfrom the various features of the method, apparatus, and system describedherein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the method,apparatus, and system of the present disclosure may not include all ofthe features described yet still benefit from at least some of theadvantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art mayreadily devise their own implementations of the method, apparatus, andsystem that incorporate one or more of the features of the presentinvention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosureas defined by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A surgical instrument system, comprising: aplurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments including (i) a pluralityof right-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components, wherein eachof the plurality of right-limb side-specific orthopaedic trialcomponents has a size that is different from the size of at least someof the other of the plurality of right-limb side-specific orthopaedictrial components, and (ii) a plurality of left-limb side-specificorthopaedic trial components, wherein each of the plurality of left-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components has a size that is differentfrom the size of at least some of the other of the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components, a first instrumentsterilization tray having a plurality of instrument retainers configuredto retain the orthopaedic surgical instruments during sterilization andtransport thereof, wherein the first instrument sterilization tray isdevoid of any of the plurality of left-limb side-specific orthopaedictrial components when each of the plurality of instrument retainers hasone of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retainedthereto, and a second instrument sterilization tray having a pluralityof instrument retainers configured to retain the orthopaedic surgicalinstruments during sterilization and transport thereof, wherein thesecond instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the pluralityof right-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components when each ofthe plurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.
 2. The surgicalinstrument system of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of right-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components comprises a plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral trial components, the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components comprises aplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trial components, the firstinstrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific femoral trial components when each of theplurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, and the secondinstrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral trial components when each of theplurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.
 3. The surgicalinstrument assembly of claim 2, wherein: each of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral trial components has a size that isdifferent from the size of at least some of the other of the pluralityof right-limb side-specific femoral trial components, and each of theplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trial components has a sizethat is different from the size of at least some of the other of theplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trial components.
 4. Thesurgical instrument assembly of claim 2, wherein: the plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral trial components comprises a pluralityof right-limb side-specific femoral cut-through trial components, andthe plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trial componentscomprises a plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral cut-throughtrial components.
 5. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 1,wherein: the plurality of right-limb side-specific orthopaedic trialcomponents comprises a plurality of right-limb side-specificintramedullary connector components, the plurality of left-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components comprises a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components, the firstinstrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components when each ofthe plurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, and the secondinstrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components when eachof the plurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.
 6. The surgicalinstrument assembly of claim 5, wherein: each of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components has a sizethat is different from the size of at least some of the other of theplurality of right-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents, and each of the plurality of left-limb side-specificintramedullary connector components has a size that is different fromthe size of at least some of the other of the plurality of left-limbside-specific intramedullary connector components.
 7. The surgicalinstrument system of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of right-limbside-specific orthopaedic trial components comprises a plurality ofright-limb side-specific box trial components, the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components comprises aplurality of left-limb side-specific box trial components, the firstinstrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific box trial components when each of the pluralityof instrument retainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgicalinstruments retained thereto, and the second instrument sterilizationtray is devoid of any of the plurality of right-limb side-specific boxtrial components when each of the plurality of instrument retainers hasone of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retainedthereto.
 8. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 7, wherein: eachof the plurality of right-limb side-specific box trial components has asize that is different from the size of at least some of the other ofthe plurality of right-limb side-specific box trial components, and eachof the plurality of left-limb side-specific box trial components has asize that is different from the size of at least some of the other ofthe plurality of left-limb side-specific box trial components.
 9. Thesurgical instrument system of claim 1, wherein: the plurality ofright-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial components comprises aplurality of right-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components,the plurality of left-limb side-specific orthopaedic trial componentscomprises a plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamer guidecomponents, the first instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any ofthe plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide componentswhen each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one of theplurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, and thesecond instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the pluralityof right-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components when each ofthe plurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.
 10. The surgicalinstrument assembly of claim 9, wherein: each of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components has a size thatis different from the size of at least some of the other of theplurality of right-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components,and each of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamerguide components has a size that is different from the size of at leastsome of the other of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoralreamer guide components.
 11. A surgical instrument system, comprising: aplurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments including (i) a pluralityof right-limb side-specific femoral trial components, wherein each ofthe plurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trial components has asize that is different from the size of at least some of the other ofthe plurality of right-limb side-specific femoral trial components, and(ii) a plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trial components,wherein each of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trialcomponents has a size that is different from the size of at least someof the other of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral trialcomponents, a first instrument sterilization tray having a plurality ofinstrument retainers configured to retain the orthopaedic surgicalinstruments during sterilization and transport thereof, wherein thefirst instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality ofleft-limb side-specific femoral trial components when each of theplurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, and a secondinstrument sterilization tray having a plurality of instrument retainersconfigured to retain the orthopaedic surgical instruments duringsterilization and transport thereof, wherein the second instrumentsterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality of right-limbside-specific femoral trial components when each of the plurality ofinstrument retainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgicalinstruments retained thereto.
 12. The surgical instrument system ofclaim 11, wherein: the plurality of right-limb side-specific femoraltrial components comprises a plurality of right-limb side-specificfemoral cut-through trial components, and the plurality of left-limbside-specific femoral trial components comprises a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific femoral cut-through trial components.
 13. Thesurgical instrument assembly of claim 11, wherein: the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments further includes (i) a plurality ofright-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components, and (ii) aplurality of left-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents, the first instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any ofthe plurality of left-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents when each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one ofthe plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, andthe second instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of theplurality of right-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents when each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one ofthe plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto. 14.The surgical instrument assembly of claim 13, wherein: each of theplurality of right-limb side-specific intramedullary connectorcomponents has a size that is different from the size of at least someof the other of the plurality of right-limb side-specific intramedullaryconnector components, and each of the plurality of left-limbside-specific intramedullary connector components has a size that isdifferent from the size of at least some of the other of the pluralityof left-limb side-specific intramedullary connector components.
 15. Thesurgical instrument system of claim 11, wherein: the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments further includes (i) a plurality ofright-limb side-specific box trial components, and (ii) a plurality ofleft-limb side-specific box trial components, the first instrumentsterilization tray is devoid of any of the plurality of left-limbside-specific box trial components when each of the plurality ofinstrument retainers has one of the plurality of orthopaedic surgicalinstruments retained thereto, and the second instrument sterilizationtray is devoid of any of the plurality of right-limb side-specific boxtrial components when each of the plurality of instrument retainers hasone of the plurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retainedthereto.
 16. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 15, wherein: eachof the plurality of right-limb side-specific box trial components has asize that is different from the size of at least some of the other ofthe plurality of right-limb side-specific box trial components, and eachof the plurality of left-limb side-specific box trial components has asize that is different from the size of at least some of the other ofthe plurality of left-limb side-specific box trial components.
 17. Thesurgical instrument system of claim 11, wherein: the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments further includes (i) a plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components, and (ii) aplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components,the first instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of theplurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide componentswhen each of the plurality of instrument retainers has one of theplurality of orthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto, and thesecond instrument sterilization tray is devoid of any of the pluralityof right-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components when each ofthe plurality of instrument retainers has one of the plurality oforthopaedic surgical instruments retained thereto.
 18. The surgicalinstrument assembly of claim 17, wherein: each of the plurality ofright-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components has a size thatis different from the size of at least some of the other of theplurality of right-limb side-specific femoral reamer guide components,and each of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoral reamerguide components has a size that is different from the size of at leastsome of the other of the plurality of left-limb side-specific femoralreamer guide components.